Leeds United Predicted Line-up for Derby Playoff Clash

Losing to Ipswich and conceding three goals wasn’t the ideal way to end the regular season. The U23s however did a good job of infecting some positive vibes back into the hearts and minds of Leeds fans everywhere. Heading into the massive game against Derby on Saturday, Bielsa has a few decisions to make, who’s likely to start for Leeds?

GK – Kiko Casilla – Casilla has had an absolute nightmare of late but this is no time to be changing goalkeepers, especially when the alternative is just as shaky. Casilla is no stranger to big occasions though, hopefully he’ll stand up and be counted when we need him most.

Defence

RB – Luke Ayling – After a real mixed bag of a season, we need the real Luke Ayling to please stand up on Saturday. He’s added some key assists at times this season and we need all the help we can get going forward at the minute.

CB – Pontus Jansson – Pontus is an extremely frustrating player to watch sometimes, he gets angry far too easily and allows it to damage his performance. We need him at his best if we’re to get past Derby.

CB – Liam Cooper – Cooper is always good for the odd goal, fancy doing a Kompany on Saturday captain?

LB – Stuart Dallas – We’re not blessed in the left back department but Bielsa is likely to give Dallas the nod over Berardi for his attacking ability. Berardi looked shaky to say the least against Villa.

Midfield

CDM – Kalvin Phillips – King Kalvin has been dropped for two of the bigger games this season, Norwich at home and Brentford away, but Bielsa would be mad to do the same on Saturday. If Phillips plays well, Leeds usually do too.

CM – Adam Forshaw – Bielsa is likely to stick with the three-man midfield after it was successful against Villa, Forshaw was good in that game, less so against Ipswich.

CAM – Mateusz Klich – Klich’s goals tend to come in batches and with two in his last two games, let’s hope for another one against Derby.

Attack

RW – Pablo Hernandez – Pablo has been slightly off form for the last month and if Leeds are to go through to the final, we need him at his best. A West Brom at home level performance from him is badly needed.

LW – Tyler Roberts – Roberts made us much more threatening going forward when he came on against Villa and with Harrison’s consistently poor form, expect Bielsa to make a change on the wing.

ST – Kemar Roofe – Roofe needed a confidence boost against Ipswich but instead got the exact opposite of that. Leeds’ best performances of the season have largely come with Roofe upfront, including the previous fixture in Derby.